BASEBALL / ROSS NEWHAN : It Didn’t Show, but Braves Really Are Scary

“I never listen to the writers,” Atlanta Brave President Stan Kasten was saying to a writer. “I wear this 1991 National League championship ring as a reminder not to listen.”

Oh, those writers.

In 1991, many of them--OK, many of us--picked the Braves to repeat their sixth-place finish of 1990.

Instead, strengthened by the ongoing development of a talented young pitching staff and the signing of Terry Pendleton among others, the Braves won the National League West with a 94-68 record.

It was the first of three consecutive division titles, a span in which they also won the National League pennant twice. So, have the writers learned their lesson?

Well, the Braves are virtually a unanimous pick to win the NL East.

Kasten might not want to hear it, but General Manager John Schuerholz doesn’t fight it.

In fact, he fuels the writers’ high regard for the Braves.

“This is the strongest offensive lineup we’ve taken into a season,” Schuerholz said. “I feel good about our situation at every position. I’d say we’re solid everywhere.”

How scary is that? Consider: From 1991 through ‘94, the Braves went 364-236, which is 27 1/2 games better than the Toronto Blue Jays, who won the last two World Series.

Now, Schuerholz believes, the Braves have their most potent lineup yet to go with that all-world rotation of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, John Smoltz and Kent Mercker.

Schuerholz bases his opinion on the following:

--The acquisition of a bona fide leadoff man and center fielder in Marquis Grissom.

--The continuing growth of two 1994 rookies, left fielder Ryan Klesko and catcher Javier Lopez.

--The soundness of long-touted Chipper Jones, the first player chosen in the 1990 draft, who replaces Pendleton at third base after sitting out the 1994 season because of a knee injury.

--The possible emergence of Mike Kelly, their top pick in the 1991 draft, who will be given an opportunity to platoon with Klesko.

--The proven productivity of Fred McGriff and David Justice in the middle of the lineup.

The Braves appear so solid that they finally may be able to dump their bullpen by committee in favor of a regular closer: 24-year-old Brad Clontz, who saved 38 games in double-A and triple-A last year.

Citing a talent stream that has landed 18 farm products on the current roster, including four No. 1 draft choices, Schuerholz said the productivity of the system has enabled the Braves to sustain success in more ways than one.

“We’ve been able to use some of the talent in acquiring players like Grissom and McGriff,” he said.

The latest influx of young players has also enabled the Braves to keep the payroll--now about $45 million--from destroying Ted and Jane’s lifestyle, but there is also a revenue stream that allows the Braves to (1) take advantage of the Montreal clearance to sign Grissom for $4.9 million; (2) re-sign shortstop Jeff Blauser for three years at $10 million; (3) carry a rotation that alone will be paid about $20 million in 1995.

“Make no bones, we’re one of the haves compared to the have-nots,” Schuerholz said, “but the system has to change. The disparity is too great and getting greater.”

The impressive resources failed to prevent the Braves from losing big to the Dodgers Friday night. Atlanta was coming off two victories over San Francisco, but any writer could have told Kasten and Schuerholz they weren’t going to win them all.